Viktor Dimitrovich Rogov stood among ruins of Hrastno, witnessing the destruction brought here by a troop of brigands. The pungent mix of blood and burnt wood assaulted his sharp sense of smell. The villagers' corpses had been piled up and set ablaze in the middle of the settlement, but rain prevented them from turning into ash before Viktor got there. The smoldering flames devouring nearby buildings were slowly dying out.

Though unknown to him personally, these people lived on his land, making him their host and protector. It's been years since anyone was stupid or arrogant enough to raid and plunder Rogovia, his namesake, his name sufficing to scare most away. He cared for his people as a shepard cares for his flock. And no shepard allows wolves to prey upon their sheep.

He looked around for hints that could tell him where the bandits had gone. All he found was the aftermath of brigands' brutality. Corpses - of a mother and a child in her embrace. An old man, dismembered. A boy with an arrow in his eye. An eviscerated dog. Those who did it were no better than rabid animals and Viktor Dimitrovich, kniaz Rogov, a vampire lord, was eager to track the bandits down and satiate his thirst for vengeance and blood.

The tracks he found lead into nearby forest. He could tell some villagers tried to escape here, but were caught and slaughtered all the same, their injured bodies leaning against tree trunks or lying in moss sprinkled with their blood. Suddenly he registered a faint gasp, sounds of a person struggling to breathe.

Intrigued, he followed.

Hidden behind a raspberry bush, a wounded girl was lying on the ground, clutching her bleeding stomach. Viktor could tell she was beyond saving. Her eyes widened when she saw him and fear entered her face.

"Please..." she gasped. "Please don't... Don't kill me."

She could barely speak, her pain too severe. Viktor watched her for a while. The young, black-haired woman looked at him terrified, struggling to take another breath. 

As she realized the hopelessness of her situation, her demeanor changed. In her eyes glistened determination, a sign of defiance even in face of her upcoming death. That strength reminded him of someone, someone he buried a very long time ago. Someone of comparable resolve. In a land far away and in another lifetime. She reminded him of his daughter, Zora.

"What is your name, child?" His deep voice sounded supernaturally strong. She shuddered, once again made to feel fear.

"My... what?" she struggled to comprehend what was happening. "My... name? It's I-... Irina."

"Irina..." Rogov looked her in the eyes, his own now glowing red as his desire to feed grew stronger. The smell of blood fueled his thirst, but he resisted. For now. "I am afraid you are beyond saving, Irina."

"Beyond sa-... saving...?" she repeated, not understanding. "Will I.. will I die?"

Viktor nodded slowly. Irina felt every piece of hope she had in her was now gone, along with her will to live. Tears started welling up in her eyes and she started sobbing.

"At least... at least my sister is safe." She had to pause as crying brought her an unbearable amount of pain. "I saw Katya escape... I know she is safe. She has to be."

Viktor kept looking at her, not hearing what she was saying anymore. How was it possible? How was it possible that after so many years, after centuries, this dying girl made him remember the emotions he had for his daughter. A mere look of this girl made him feel again. Feel affection, love even! He was confused. Disoriented. What should he do?! He couldn't let this girl die! But she was going to!

Unless...

"Will you end me now?" He came to his senses and looked at her, puzzled. She continued, no longer crying, steadfast again. "I know what you are... I think I know WHO you are. Will you end me now or... or will you drink my blood first?"

"No, Irina..." He smiled faintly as he made his decision, once again alarming her. Not taking his eyes off her, he put one of his sharp claws to his left arm and cut his pale skin. Dark blood, almost black, poured out. He came closer and knelt down next to her, extending his arm towards her face. "You, my child, are going to live forever. And you will be the one drinking now."